Innovation Centre - Answer to dumb and disconnected education
Undeniably the ability to innovate and to bring innovation effectively to the workplace is a critical determinant of the global competitiveness of nations over the next few years. Many policymakers agree that innovative activity is the main driver of economic growth and a latent factor in encountering global challenges in the economy.
Though it’s fairly common knowledge that education enables individuals to reach their full potential as human beings, individually as well as members of society while being the driver of a country’s economic development, it does not always get the priority it deserves. While there has been significant concern about the quality of education imparted in this country, especially to the vast majority of its under-privileged people many educationists and social reformers have raised the issue of granting access to quality education to all.
In this light the Institute of Business Management (NIBM) is gearing to launch its futuristic education centre - the National Innovation Centre (NIC) in collaboration with Malaysia’s Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. NIC will present a highly conducive environment for empowering the future generation with the demanding entrepreneurial skills along with modern technology, innovation and creativity, officials say.
“Located in the heart of Colombo, NIC is a national resource centre that will offer a host of programmes to groom a new generation of full-fledged graduates armed with the highly sought after skills. Students can choose from a range of programmes that include multimedia, fashion, design, architecture, communication, journalism, sound and music and Information Technology. The institute will deliver globally acclaimed professional knowl- edge and qualifications in addition to helping the students develop core competencies to become creative and commercially astute,” Vice President Brand Creativity and Talent Development of Limkokwing University of Creat ive Technology Dato’ Tiffanee Marie Lim told media at the NIC launch on Tuesday.
Not only has innovation moved to centre- stage in economic policy making, but there is a realisation that a co-ordinated, coherent, “whole-of-government” approach is required, Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody, present at the media conference noted.
More and more parents, irrespective of their social and economic backgrounds, are keen to educate their children, he further noted adding that the NIC just might be the answer to dumb and disconnected education this country has seen for decades. “We almost always by-heart notes to pass exams and collect certificates,” he said pointing out that this sends wrong signals to both children and their parents. “Those with ‘highest scores’ may not be the most creative,” he said.
As Sri Lanka’s creative institution sector, NIC will adopt most modern teaching methodologies to create independent and versatile professionals equipped with up-to-date knowledge, he added. “Creativity and innovation are two of the most crucial competencies currently in demand in the job market. The partnership between NIBM and Malaysia’s Limkokwing University will not only bring in the finest pedagogy of the two countries through the NIC, but also generate a host of new avenues for the creative and technology savvy professionals.”
Creativity plays an increasingly essential role in this rapidly changing world and the NIC will produce full-fledged graduates with the capacity to drive their own ventures, Director General of NIBM Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya told media. “We live in a world ruled by digital technology, industry empowerment and market demands. They (young people) will create new jobs instead of seeking for existing ones. They will take risks and create wealth while performing as productive global citizens.”
The world today is divided into two groups of nations – those with the capacity to innovate and those without. Countries that practice innovation progress and become richer, while those who don’t, regress and become poorer, Ms. Lim added. NIC’s inauguration will happen on October 20.
Though it’s fairly common knowledge that education enables individuals to reach their full potential as human beings, individually as well as members of society while being the driver of a country’s economic development, it does not always get the priority it deserves.